Oswego, Oswego East Designated Democracy Schools

Oswego, Ill. (Sept. 16, 2015) — The Illinois Civic Mission Coalition has named both Oswego East and Oswego high schools as Illinois Democracy Schools.

Democracy Schools are recognized for providing students with authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities, and tensions inherent in living in a constitutional democracy. Through these experiences, participating schools strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for informed, effective engagement in the U.S. democracy.

“It is great to see School District 308 high schools being recognized for civic and community development. These type of activities offer unique lifelong experiences and lessons for our students,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matthew Wendt. “As the seventh largest school district in Illinois, it truly is an honor that School District 308 high school students and staff are being recognized for creating a nurturing environment where future leaders can thrive.”

The award designates both high schools as leaders in civic education and recognizes them as part of a growing network around the state. Following the designation, the schools are expected to maintain that standard, and educate staff through professional development about the important role they play within the community.

Since 2006, 41 Illinois high schools have successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and subsequently have been recognized as Democracy Schools. Click here for the complete list of schools.

Both schools will receive a stipend from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which convenes the coalition, to invest in high quality civic learning initiatives, as well as a banner for public display. In addition, Oswego and Oswego East high schools will each receive a certificate signed by the Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education Rev. James Meeks, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Rita B. Garman, and state legislators from the schools’ legislative districts.

Illinois Democracy Schools embrace their mission to provide high quality civic learning opportunities for all students. Their leadership emphasizes civic learning through development of professional faculty and staff, and proven civic learning practices are woven throughout the formal curriculum. Democracy Schools foster a school climate that nurtures and models civic dispositions, and they build reciprocal relationships within the surrounding community.

Democracy Schools provide numerous opportunities for students to participate in the democratic process through a range of classes and clubs. From class discussion on current issues and democratic simulations to extracurricular and service learning opportunities, students are able to experience first-hand the critical role they can play in shaping their government and society.

Each high school celebrated its recognition on Constitution Day, September 17, 2015.

About the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations, with more than $1 billion in assets. To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit McCormickFoundation.org, follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/McCormick_Fdn, or like them on Facebook at facebook.com/McCormickFoundation.

About the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition

The Illinois Civic Mission Coalition is a broad non-partisan consortium including educators, administrators, students, universities, funders, elected officials, policymakers and representatives from the private and non-profit sectors. Formed in 2004 by the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago, the Illinois Coalition is part of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, a national initiative to restore a core purpose of education to prepare America’s youngest citizens to be informed and active participants in the U.S. democracy. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation has convened the Coalition since 2010. For more information, please visit www.McCormickFoundation.org/DemocracySchools.

For more information about the designation, contact Jim Vera jvera@sd308.org, (630) 636-2284, or Jennifer Ash jash@sd308.org, (630) 636-2128.